DNA Favorites Blog

This is Richard Hill, founder of DNA Favorites. I don't write long, detailed blogs. My blogging style matches that of my website: clear, concise summaries with links to learn more.

I typically share these posts to my DNA Favorites Facebook page and to my RichardHillDNA accounts on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can follow me in whatever medium you prefer.

Sep 28, 2023

When DNA Uncovers Family Secrets

Here are some good DNA reunion stories in USA Today. They even provide some tips on preparing yourself for surprises.

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Sep 26, 2023

AncestryDNA Now Charging Extra for Certain Features

If you have tested your DNA with AncestryDNA but are not subscribed to their genealogy records, some great DNA features now require a separate subscription.

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Sep 21, 2023

Man Stolen as Indigenous Baby Finds Mom 50 Years Later

Known as the "Sixties Scoop" in Canada, thousands of indigenous babies were removed from their families. DNA testing is helping reunite them.

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Sep 20, 2023

$6.80 Sale Price on "Finding Family" Audiobook

My audiobook is 60% off until 10/12/23. That's just $6.80 for the digital download of "Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA."

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Sep 19, 2023

The Transformative Power of Genealogy for Adopted Individuals

The "Dear Amy" column by Amy Dickinson shares the beautiful perspective of an adoptee transformed by DNA testing.

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Sep 16, 2023

Hidden Roots in Your DNA: Adoptee Success & Surprise Discoveries

The replay of Friday's presentation is available. Free to watch through the end of September. Lots of great comments.

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Sep 14, 2023

Former Radio Host Finds Lost Grandchildren thru DNA Test

He did not even know he had fathered a son until his granddaughter showed up as a DNA match on Ancestry.

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Sep 12, 2023

New Tool Estimates Dates of Old Photos

MyHeritage has introduced a free date estimation tool for historical photos. An innovative use of artificial intelligence, it worked surprisingly well in my testing.

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Sep 07, 2023

Man Discovers He Has 35 Half-Siblings

His mother never told him she had used a sperm donor. Imagine his shock when DNA testing uncovered 35 half-siblings.

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Sep 05, 2023

DNA Leads Child Trafficking Victim to Family

After 42 years, a man stolen from his mother at birth finally meets his mother and other family members. MyHeritage provided his DNA test for free.

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Aug 31, 2023

Shocking Discovery After 20 Years in the Same Home

Abandoned at different times and adopted by the same family, Frank and Victoria learn through DNA testing that they are full siblings.

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Aug 29, 2023

Confirming Close Family DNA Surprises

Get more precise relationship predictions for close DNA matches. This free tool uses both the total shared cM and the number of segments in common.

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Aug 24, 2023

Stolen as a Baby, Man Finds Family thru DNA

Some foreign-born children, adopted by American families, were actually stolen. This remarkable story shares how DNA testing led one man to meet his sister. MyHeritage

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Aug 22, 2023

Hidden Roots in Your DNA: Adoptee Success & Surprise Discoveries

My presentation will be one of 25 online genealogy webinars you can watch for free until the end of September. See this list.

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Aug 17, 2023

How to Reconstruct An Ancestor's DNA

By testing the DNA of some living family members, you can now reconstruct the DNA of a specific ancestor. This article gives an example and shows how to do it.

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Aug 15, 2023

Nine Donor-Conceived Siblings Meet in Person

Thanks to DNA testing, more donor-conceived half-siblings are discovering each other and even meeting in person.

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Aug 11, 2023

Half-Sisters Find Each Other Through DNA Test

An Arkansas woman discovered an unknown half-sibling in Hawaii through a DNA website. Watch this interview captured right after their first meeting.

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Aug 09, 2023

The New Living DNA Chromosome Browser

The newest genetic genealogy website now has a chromosome browser. Read this independent review by the founder of DNA Painter.

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Aug 07, 2023

Summer Sale on "Finding Family" Book

My publisher is discounting my groundbreaking book on DNA searches by 40% until 8/31/23. This is the print copy. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.

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Aug 03, 2023

Adopted Woman Finds and Cares for Her Father

56 years after her adoption, Deanna found her father through a DNA test. He was then in a nursing home and he now lives with her.

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Aug 01, 2023

Effective Strategies for Contacting DNA Matches

This article from Family Tree DNA explores the benefits of connecting with DNA matches, suggests effective communication strategies, and provides tips for handling various responses.

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Jul 27, 2023

DNA Test Finds a Sister on the Other Side of the World

Given birth by an unwed mother in 1956, this woman in Australia finally finds and meets a sister from the United Kingdom.

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Jul 20, 2023

DNA Test Finds Brother 26 Years Older

This search for a biological father was too late to meet the man's father. But this 27-year-old found a great 53-year-old brother.

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Jul 18, 2023

DNA Reunites Woman with Her Birth Mother

After 55 years of not knowing her history, Lisa finally got to meet her birth mother thanks to DNA testing.

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Jul 13, 2023

Asian American Adoptee Wins Case in South Korean Court

After a long history of shady practices, South Korea's domestic adoption agency must finally pay for fraudulent paperwork and screening failures.

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